First 100 days: Signing the stimulus

The Denver Post previews today’s bill signing. “So is Colorado the ‘before’ picture, or the ‘after’ picture? President Barack Obama will sign the $787 billion stimulus package at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, at a time when Colorado represents a little of both. Home prices have shrunk and unemployment is up; Colorado-based companies have seen their stock prices plummet, and falling sales tax revenues plague local governments. Conversation on the street tends to turn to joblessness, fears of salary cuts, investment losses and health care costs.” “But Obama will be making his grand national gesture in a state where two of his pet industries of the future are thriving on new ideas and ambition, and which are ready to spend money as soon as he caps his pen. The stimulus includes billions in credits and grants meant to promote green energy production and independence from Middle East oil, and Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, has long made those ideas key to his vision of creating ... (link)